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The Latino ST-70 kit.
This is a future project for NEXT year. There are several reasons for choosing the 70. One - I LIKE tubes and enjoy tube rolling. Two - I get to build it an tinker away until my hearts content (or I blow it up). Three - and this is a biggie, finding a BETTER new solid state amp in the $1500 range isn't really going to happen.
The NAD is quite good and would be a very hard act to replace or even step up from. Why make a complete lateral or even inferior move.
Besides this is going to be a rotation amp between my NAD anyway.
Thanks for all your advice and time spend with my audio OCD's.
charles
Follow Ups:
At some point, planning to build either his ST120 or M-125 monos. I love small operations like this.
Solid choice . I've had a Latino ST 70 for years.( factory wired) Sent my CJ MV 75A1 pack'in once I dialed it in.
I also like NAD amps, probably one of the best value amps around.
I modded my Dynaco ST-70 about 15 years ago using the original Triode Electronics [Triode, USA] kit driver board (EF86's) and a capacitor board that I bought elsewhere. Left the power transformer stock. These are great little amps, everyone should have one.
Another sweet little tube integrated amp is the EICO HF-81 (EL84's) which I rebuilt but left stock.
I would (could really) no longer listen to the NAD and would sell it immediately. And its only $719 in kit form to as much as $1225 built w/KT-88's
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Might be YOUR 'best amp' or even 'amp of the century'.
Too bad my speakers are massively insensitive. maybe a PAIR of 'em running as biamp would get me off the ground.
But I suspect insufficient power for REALLY annoying the neighbors.
And yes, the ST-70 is a landmark amp. The fact that it is still going strong is proof enough.
Too much is never enough
It's not really correct to call this amp a version of the Dynaco Stereo 70. The circuitry is very different up to the output stage and the transformers are, I believe, bigger also with different output tubes. I suspect David Hafler wouldn't recognize it from a circuit drawing.
Exactly, that is why I "restored" mine - original circuit is a thing of beauty.
My Bad.I was fooled by the Latino Site referring to the Dynaco amp a couple times when going thru the features / upgrades to his amp.
Kind of makes me wish I owned a higher sensitivity speaker which was 'tube friendly'.
Too much is never enough
Edits: 05/14/15
I found a good st70 for about 300 10 years ago and then
bought the same board he uses. the only thing I didn't do is upgrade the power transformer.
I can say without doubt its an excellent amp. Bass is outstanding. Get some good EL34's
I used this amp with Klipsh Lascalas, Cornwalls, Spender SP1/2e, and now Quads.
I love this amp. I once tried a Rogue Tempest II integrated rated at 100 watts and the bass on the ST70 was much better.
Great choice.
I put this VTA board in my st70, The ST 70 has excellent output transfromers already. The pwer transformer is what Bob upgrades too.
I also updated the Quad Cap
http://www.tubes4hifi.com/ST70.htm
Excellent choice - I restored my ST70 - was a super fun project and wonderful learning curve! It is a gem! I recently bought a quad of Tung Sol 6L6 GC coke bottles and GE 5U4GB rectifier and they are sweet. I love my set of Svetlana "Winged C" EL34's as well. My amp does not run hot but I keep bias at 1.32V rather than 1.6V recommended which I find too high. Fun, fun project for sure!
Isn't the ST-70 well below $1500? I see on their website $1225 + shipping WIRED with ALL tubes & KT88 output tubes (even less in KIT form).
I'd also be curious about the larger ST-120.
Let us know what you think of the amp once you have it up and running! I've been thinking of getting one myself for the past few years but never have. I need to set up a decent workbench first.
The best thing about moving off my boat into a stationary land-based house has been my workbench. We live in an "artists loft," at the insistence of the Bearette, who's an actual artist. That means paintings and stuff of every imaginable description in her "corner" so in my corner I bolted a 6ft. slab of Ikea countertop to the top of my Craftsman rolling tool-chest and added a hefty Tripp-Lite electrical panel and an RJ45 ethernet extension to the side. It's at the perfect height and my tools are all RIGHT HERE, jumping into my hand. A big magnifier fluorescent lamp completes the rig. It rolls where I want it and is just steps from the hi-fi and music PC so experimentation, tweaking, of just f*ing around is easy.
Sure will. Again this project is for next year. Also I would like to reemphasize that I do like the NAD. But you know how it is with this hobby. The next project is always sweeter ;-)I like to tinker and what better than an amp built on then old Dynaco model. I used one for years. I regretted ever selling it ever since.
I also had the MKiii with KT88s. I liked them a lot. But in my setup the heat generated was overwhelming. An unusual reason to unload an amp but it is an honest one. Sound wise I liked them a lot.
Edits: 05/14/15
Excess heat in your listening setup is a perfectly legit reason for letting an amp go. I've been there too as have others.
I owned a pair of large Manley Neo-Classic 250 monoblocks each with 10 power output tubes. Talk about heat! Fortunately when I had these my listening room was down in a large finished basement which was cool in the summer and cold in the winter.
My listening room is now a 10x12 home office that gets warm with just me in it and some small audio gear.
Congrats on your decision. I know it will be a while before you build the ST-70 but please post your thoughts on it when you're done.
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